I only got to page 80. There just wasn't enough meat to hold me. By meat I mean character development and descriptive details. Usually you see less of that in YA books but this one was just bare bones, and thin bones at that. No real understanding of who the character is, and the descriptions of the individual events weren't drawn well enough to hold my interest until the character really began to develop. And by page 80, one of those things should be well enough drawn to pull readers forward...that wasn't the case here. ( )

Veronica Roth’s dystopia is based on a premise that warring mankind might try to resolve their issues by stressing the benefits of a small subset of virtues. But, of course, as human beings we’re all too good as stressing faults as well, and a society that’s supposed to have eliminated conflict seethes with problems underneath.

Beatrice is a child of Abnegation, brought up from birth to look to others’ needs before her own. Her perfect brother Caleb is a prime example of abnegating youth, but Beatrice's interests tend more toward those rebelliously exciting Dauntless youth. When the choosing comes, she just might not do as her parents expect. But how will a short, fairly ordinary, self-effacing young woman cope in the trials of the not necessarily virtuous valiant?

The novel takes supposed virtues and looks at the vices they might hide. It reveals a seemingly perfect world, through the eyes of a convincing protagonist, and turns it on its side. And it offers readers that enticing glimpse of dystopia behind the present day, rebellion in the making, with simple answers proving inadequate. It’s a well-paced novel with well-placed introspection, increasing levels of action and danger, and a cool and scary ending. Maybe there are more important things than obedience, passing tests, and fitting in. And yes, I’m going to read more of this series; when almost perfect breaks, what happens next?

Disclosure: I’ve not seen the movie, but I’d seen the books, and the premise seemed intriguing, so I asked for them for Christmas. I’m glad I did. ( )

At first, I was worried that this book would be too much like the other dystopian books I had read beforehand. Boy was I wrong! Veronica Roth has created this whole new future for us that catches your attention from the beginning. I loved the underlying romance as well as Tris' journey throughout the book. This definitely was worth reading! ( )

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

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In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.… (more)